The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-12-24
MICKEY FlNN'S CAT.
Her Sale, and How He Got Hor
Back Again.

Where's tn cat. mothcrp' said
Mickey Finn. after he had MIXED the
goat aud got the kindling wood ready
for the morning.
"Shure sohl her fur dollar bill.
right in me hand.
NJ ckey started up with an cxclama-
tion # grief aud surprise.
"Oh, ye needn't be waggin your jaws
nj tn mother that raised We up aud fed
yc since yc were no biggcrn Ia little
cat itself | know phwats best fur We,
me by, an eats Is no good. on'y fur
{ be mc-own' around on the fnco whin
dacent folks is in bed these cowld
nights Now. Mickey. avic. bo good
4 yerscr. an don't be W 'inin' about n
m ascly cat as has floas an is on'y
good fur lappin' milk an scratchin' at
tn back durc Hlsen' yo tn COW an
tn billy goat L play widP Ye
wouldn't be havin' as foino fun wild a
scrawny cat as . wud wild fine billy
J goat wild his wicked horns an th'divir =
eyes in his head. bad luck 10 him!
The first chance I'll DO havin' I'll sell
him, too. so will I'd hav' him sold
this twer month on'y livery wun Is
afeard iv his dirty thrickS. so they are.
Av | had that goat on tn limckill I'd
shove him of, SD lwould. an him fall =
in on tn rocks below an smashing
him into little bits no biggor'n buck
wate.'
This TRADE against his pets had no
effect upon Mickey H. had heard It
so often that IL passed through his
mind like water through n sieve. How
10 recovta the cat was what troubled
him. She had been in his possession
only about month. but during that
time he had learne 10 regard her with
n great deal of affection. The goneal-
ogy Of tho cat was unknow 10 little
Mickey. He didn't know whether the
cat had Tapped warm milk before n
coy kitchen fire. or had been forced
out into the cold world in her extreme
youth and made 10 scratch for her liv-
ing in refuse heaps. All he knew of
her early history was that on return
ing home one evening he saw
Dolan's yellow dog chase her
up tree. He had stoned the dog
away and coaxed the cat 10 come
down. Safely sheltered In his bosom,
hc had taken her home and washed
her muddy fur with water from the
hand basin and wiped her dry with
his handkerchief When he had
thoroughly cleaned her fur he found
that she was pure white In color.
without spot or blcmish and that she
had beautiful pink eyes. H. rcmem-
bered now that she was lost 10 him.
perhaps forever; that for two months
the cat had been his bedfellow. Even
now, IN fancy, he could hear her
soft purr ~ she snugglcd down
against bis breast, with her lOng
wbiskors tickling his check H.
noted in his minds eye how nicely
the blue ribbon around her neck con-
trastod with the color of her shining
coat and he was very sOrrOwiul and
cried inwardly. and would have burs'
into tears IL the door had been be-
tween him aud his mother. However.
the exigcncics ~ ihe cas- called for
action. and be mustered up courage
enough 10 say. tremhingly:
'Mo'her what was the woman's
name a. bought herP'
Bad scran T. Sc. by; shuro /
wouldn't hay th' impi lonce & ax her
name. an she giyin' me a dollar fur n
weeny cat. when tnarc's more cats o.
'ud FIN n C. liar over on Hauratty street
beyani. an divi ha'porth yo'd pas
for forty ~ them. ribbon an all. !
on'y know tn loddy lives on tn hill
forninst th' Catholic church. an her
man l. a lawyer. wid bags full iv goold
and silver. { say nothin' iv IA Crane
backs he does b. havin'. more power
I'LL him. Phy. Mickey, fur phwat dye
want know hgr name. at ALP said
Mr. Finn.
Il do be wantin' L buy her back
ag'in."
Buy her back aginl an me wild th'
blessed dollar in me pocket, wild Gar
&c .d's pictur' in wan corner an
another mans vritin' IN another
corner. as makes The bin good wat
ill the jidgmint dayl G. out ye idjii
Lux At thin shoes on yer fate. wild the
toes iv yc pcepin' out a. sayin' good
mornin' { ye every time yo're putin